Rain, Cooler Temperatures Aiding Firefighters Battling Loma Fire

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Rubble lines a residence leveled by the Loma fire along Loma Chiquita Road on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, near Morgan Hill, Calif. More California residents were ordered from their homes Tuesday as a growing wildfire threatened remote communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Almost one week since the Loma Fire ignited in the Santa Cruz Mountains and sent a pluming mushroom cloud soaring into the South Bay sky, emergency crews continue to make ground in the firefight.

The 4,474-acre fire, which has destroyed 12 homes and 16 outbuildings, along with forcing several evacuations, was 71 percent contained as of Sunday evening, according to Cal Fire.

The blaze "made minimal progress" during the overnight hours Sunday, Cal Fire said. Cooler temperatures and showers during the early afternoon hours on Sunday benefited the more than 1,300 firefighters battling the blaze.

Mandatory evacuations were lifted Sunday at noon for folks living on Summit Road from Loma Prieta Road to Highway 152, Cal Fire said.

Evacuation orders in Santa Clara County remain in effect along portions of the Loma Prieta ridgeline area including stretches running along Summit Road east of Soquel San Jose Road to Ormsby Fire Station. Those evacuations also include Loma Chiquita, Casa Loma and Loma Prieta Way, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuees Return to Home With Thankful Hearts

Lucie Vogel and her husband Roman Petres were forced to evacuate from their home as the Loma Fire quickly came close, but thanks to the dedicated work of fire crews, the couple and their animals are back home. Marianne Favro reports.

(Published Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016)

Despite those mandates, some folks were able to return home late Saturday after receiving word that the coast was clear.

"I think we held hands and cried," Lucie Vogel said after settling in with her husband and numerous pets.